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Actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya, popularly known for his roles in Undekhi, Maharani and others, has voiced strong support for the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) student-led movement, calling the police action against protesters "disheartening and devastating". He urged the government to listen to the concerns of young people. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the actor said the protests were not about politics but about protecting the future of the country's students.
The 50-year-old actor got emotional while talking to us, calling the right to protest a cornerstone of democracy. He said citizens must be allowed to raise their voices when they believe the system is failing them.
"If you think things are not going in the right direction, you have every right to protest. That is the democratic way to deal with autocracy, dictatorship or any kind of atrocities. Protest is a very, very important part of our democracy. It is your civil right to protest, but in a rightful way," he said.
The actor expressed concern over the growing number of student suicides allegedly linked to examination-related stress and irregularities, saying it reflected a generation that was losing hope.
"When students are dying by suicide, it means our coming generation is feeling hopeless. If the government is not responding to that, it is extremely insensitive. These students are our children. Many belong to middle-class and lower-middle-class families who cannot afford to go abroad. They have to study and build their future in India. If schools are shutting down and exam papers are leaking, the government has to take responsibility," he said.
The Alpha actor also condemned the police action during the CJP's Chalo Sansad march, saying the images of students being beaten had left him deeply disturbed.
"Young students are being beaten up. I am actually crying from within. I feel like I should go there and speak to the students rather than watch them being tortured. What happened to the students was disheartening and devastating. How can something like this happen in a civil society? What is happening to the country? We have never seen this before," he said.
Given the history of celebrities remaining silent on sensitive issues, this movement has prompted many to speak out, extend their support to students, and rally behind their demand for a better future. Happy about the same, the veteran actor requested more and more to show active participation and support the students.
"Everybody should come forward. People who have senses and sensibilities should unite. Everyone should tell the government, 'Please open your eyes and ears. Listen to the people.' We are taxpayers. This is not politics. This is beyond politics. This is about the reforms we want in India," he added.
Several Bollywood stars, including Rajkummar Rao, Preity Zinta, Hrithik Roshan, Anurag Kashyap, Sonakshi Sinha, Dia Mirza, Ratna Pathak Shah and others, have voiced their opinion on the ongoing protest, while extending support to the students.
Towards the end, the actor concluded his stand by rejecting any political label. He said that his only concern was the country's future.
"I am a pro-nation guy. This is beyond politics. Whatever benefits India, I will support that. I cannot watch this anymore. Even now, we are beating our own children and firing tear gas at them. My heart is crying. I just feel helpless," he concluded.
About the protest
Bhattacharya's remarks came two days after violence erupted during the students' Chalo Sansad march towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. While protesters said that Delhi Police used excessive force during the crackdown, the police claimed that several personnel were attacked by demonstrators.
The march was organised as part of the CJP protest, which has been underway at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for more than 23 days. The movement gathered further momentum after educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the agitation and began an indefinite hunger strike.
The protesters have been demanding comprehensive reforms in India's education system, a transparent investigation into the NEET paper leak, greater accountability in the conduct of national examinations, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest continues at Jantar Mantar, with an increasing number of students, activists and public figures lending their support to the movement.
On the work front
Bhattacharya was last seen in Alpha. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the film also stars Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in key roles. He was seen playing the role of a scientist.
